Ryuji jolts awake and finds himself surrounded by unfamiliar people, who seem to be doing something to him.
Seeing this, he asks, "Who are you people?"
They give no response, but a woman steps forward and answers, "These people are from Damage Control."
When Ryuji turns to look at the woman, he notices she's dressed in a similar way to Masaki. It's none other than Akari.
Akari signals the people surrounding Ryuji to leave, and they promptly step back, leaving them alone.
Akari sits down beside Ryuji and says, "Do you have any questions?"
Ryuji glances around and sees that the place, which was in complete ruin just a while ago, now looks perfectly restored. The houses, roads, vehicles, and poles—all look as if nothing had happened. People in similar attire as those with him earlier are scattered around, using some mysterious means to heal the injured and even tamper with their memories.
Noticing the bewilderment on Ryuji's face, Akari explains, "They're like us. These people also have Golden Eyes, but unlike the Sleek Hunters, they prefer not to risk their lives. So, they join Damage Control. Their job is to fix the destruction caused by our battles and erase any memory of the incident from people's minds."
Ryuji asks, "But why erase people's memories?"
Akari replies, "It's better that people forget what happened here today. The truth of the Sleek Hunters must not come to light."
Ryuji, with a sorrowful tone, then asks, "Where is Masaki?"
Akari looks at him kindly and says, "He was severely injured, so we had to send him back to our base for treatment. But he'll survive; he's very strong."
With tears in his eyes, Ryuji sits quietly and says, "This is all my fault. If I had listened to Masaki sooner, he might have been able to prevent this."
Akari responds, "It's common to blame oneself in situations like this, but you must understand that none of this was your fault."
Ryuji becomes somber, and Akari starts to leave him alone but turns around and asks, "By the way, do you know what happened to that Sleek?"
Ryuji replies, "No, when I arrived here, Masaki was fighting that Sleek and got hurt trying to save me. But he still managed to protect Yumi and Ayato. But it was in vain…they all died."
With this, tears well up in Ryuji's eyes once more. But Akari persists, "So, what happened after that?"
Ryuji says, "I don't know… All I remember is being near them, and…"
Suddenly, Ryuji pauses, puzzled. "How did I get here? I was quite far from this place."
Akari, diverting the topic, says, "Maybe these people brought you here to heal you."
With that, Akari leaves, walking toward her companions and says, "He doesn't remember anything. He doesn't even realize that he was the one who killed that Sleek."
One of her companions says, "I still can't believe it. That boy's aura was so powerful that he destroyed a Level 4 Sleek just with his aura, and as soon as he passed out, that aura vanished, and now he doesn't remember a thing."
Akari says, "Syria mentioned that when he arrived here, it seemed as if he was in a trance. I think he's unaware of his own power."
Another companion asks, "But how did the boy's aura suddenly become so powerful?"
Akari replies, "I don't know. But one thing is certain: that boy doesn't hold any answers for us right now."
A third companion then asks, "So what should we do with him for now?"
Akari says, "Nothing. It's best to leave him alone for now."
With that, they all depart.
---
The Next Day
Ryuji and his family attend the funeral of Aunt Haruko, Yumi, and Ayato. A few others who knew them are also present.
Ryuji stands silently, watching the pyres of the three burn, while others nearby talk amongst themselves.
One man says, "Oh God, what a kind woman she was, taking care of her two grandchildren all by herself. How did this happen?"
The man next to him replies, "They say the gas in her house was left on, causing an explosion."
The first man sighs, "Ah, such fate. She was old, but those kids… They barely got to see the world."
Ryuji listens to their conversation, feeling the weight of guilt because he alone knows the real cause of their deaths and whose fault it was. The story about a gas explosion was created by the Damage Control team to cover up the true cause of death.
This realization makes Ryuji even more sorrowful. Seeing his distress, his aunt and uncle embrace him, while Sota and Misaki cling to him as well.
All of them had some connection with that family; they had helped them a lot, and Aunt Haruko was like a mother to them. Sota and Misaki played and studied with Yumi and Ayato, but without a doubt, Ryuji was closest to them.
That's why they could understand what Ryuji might be going through.
---
That Evening
After the funeral, Ryuji and his family return home, but Ryuji has been sitting alone in his room for a long time.
His aunt goes to check on him, but his uncle stops her, suggesting that they give Ryuji some time alone.
Ryuji is quietly sitting in his room when he suddenly finds himself back at the park from the day before.
Startled, he turns around and sees Masaki standing there.
Seeing Masaki, Ryuji says, "You... but you were injured."
Masaki replies, "It doesn't take more than a day for Sleek Hunters to heal, and I wanted to see you. There's something very important I need to tell you."
Ryuji asks, "What's so important?"
Masaki replies, "After yesterday's incident, your Golden Eyes have started to awaken."
Ryuji asks, "What does that mean?"
Masaki explains, "It means that now, you and your family are in danger."
With a slight fear, Ryuji asks, "What do you mean my family is in danger?"
Masaki says, "Now that your Golden Eyes are awaking, Sleeks will be attracted to you. One by one, Sleeks will attack you and your family."
Hearing this, Ryuji is terrified, remembering the havoc the last Sleek caused.
He says, "But why is this happening?"
Masaki explains, "Anyone with Golden Eyes is like a feast for any Sleek. When you encountered that Sleek yesterday, it triggered your Golden Eyes to awaken."
Ryuji says, "But the Sleek Hunters will protect us, right?"
Masaki replies, "No, the Sleek Hunters can't guard you every moment. Sleeks will be drawn to you relentlessly until they get what they want. And it's not just Sleeks you have to worry about. There are also humans who work with them and hunt people like you—people the Sleek Hunters might not even be able to protect you from."
Ryuji asks, "Isn't there any way I can protect my family?"
Masaki replies, "There's only one way."
Ryuji asks, "What is it?"
Masaki says, "If you go away from your family, they'll be safe. As long as you're with them, they'll be in danger."
Ryuji asks, "Are you saying I have to leave my family?"
Masaki responds, "Yes, there's no other way. Wherever you go, danger follows. Whoever you're with is also at risk. So it's better to stay with people who can protect themselves from those dangers."
Ryuji, solemn and silent, listens to Masaki's words.
Masaki continues, "In three days, meet me here at the same time. If you come, I'll take you with me. Otherwise, stay and face the consequences."
With that, Masaki disappears, leaving Ryuji alone, contemplating whether he really has to leave his family and friends.
Returning home, Ryuji spends the next three days cherishing moments with his family and friends, celebrating Ren's first girlfriend, going on family outings, and bringing gifts for his cousins.
---
On the third day, as he prepares to leave, Ryuji writes a letter:
"Dear Aunt and Uncle,
Thank you for the love and care you've given me. I love you all, but now I can't stay. Staying with you would put you in danger, so I have to leave. I don't know if I'll ever return, so please don't look for me, and tell Sota and Misaki that I'll miss them."
Unable to face his family directly, Ryuji leaves the letter on his bed.
As he leaves, he says to himself, "Forgive me, but I must go. I don't want what happened to Yumi, Ayato, or Aunt Haruko to ever happen to you or anyone else."
He heads to the park, looking around the city one last time, wondering if he'll ever see it again.
Finally, he reaches the park, where Masaki is waiting. Ryuji walks over, and Masaki takes him away.